Sign.



E. BAMBECK.

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE l5. i914.

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iizinwiini) BAMBECK, or KAIAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, nssIsNon 'ro AMERICAN sieN .coMrANin or KALAiviAzoo, MICHIGAN. v

SIGN.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD BAMBECK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented cer-` tain new and useful Improvements in Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signs. y

The main object of this invention is to provide in a signin which the signindi'cia or characters are formed of lenses an improved means for securing the lenses so that they are securely retained and will not loosen or rattle and one in which the parts are economically produced and leasily and quickly assembled.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely` appear from the detailed description to follow. y

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointf ed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, vin which:

Figure I is a detail front perspective view of a sign structure embodying the features of my invention, shown mainly in conven tional form. Fig. II is an enlarged detail section on a line Vcorresponding to line Q-Q of Fig. I, the lens and the retaining member 8 being shown in full lines. Fig. III;- isA a detail section on a lineycorresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is a perspective view of the retaining member 8. Fig. V is a detail section corresponding to that of Fig. II of a slightly modified embodi-r ment of my invention. Fig. VI is a detail V section on a line corresponding. to line 6-6 of Fig. V.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the vsectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing,`1 is a sheet metal face plate of a sign of the type shown in Letters Patent No. 1,039,449, issued to me June 25, 1912, in which a sheet metal casing is provided for the illuminating lamps and the letters or characters or other sign indicia are formed or outlined by Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.-y

Application led J une 15, 1914. y Serial No. 845,165.

embodiment of my invention, as shown yin detail in Figs. II and III. The plate open-v ings 4 are provided with notches 6 adapted to receive the threads 7 on the Shanks. The inner end of the` thread 7 is preferably spaced from'the shoulder, asshown in Fig.` II, so thatvwhen the lens is seated the shoulf;

der may lie fiat against the face plate.

The retaining member 8 is in the form` of a spirally coiled spring and is threadedy upon and embraces the shank of theflens between its threads, see Fig.` II. The inner end 9 of the retaining member is disposed between the thread and the rear side of the face plate and engages. the rear side of they face .plate with a clamping action. The

outer. end 10 yof the retaining memberl en'-v gages the side of the shank and,'fowing to isa substantial -waste .and loss "owin-gfto,

variations inthe shanks and the threads and imperfections ofthe same.' Thi'sis'par ticularly true of the smaller sizes. With my improved retainers these imperfect lenses may be used and are satisfactorily held. Further, these retainers are of decided advantage when used with perfect lenses or lenses having perfect shanks on account of the security with which the same are held, even when there is a large variation in the shank openings in the face plate.

In the modification shown in Figs. V and VI the shank opening 11 in the face plate 1 is of such diameter that the lens may be inserted without threading the shank through the same and the inner end of the thread 7 extends to and merges into the shoulder 5.of the lens. The retainer 8 einbraces the shank the same as described for the preferred construction and its inner 4end 9 engages the rear side of the face plate, effectively clamping the lens in place. The outer end of the retainer engages the side of the shank, as clearly shown in Fig. V.

As stated, great care in producing the lenses is not required as the coiled spring retainers accommodate and adjust themselves to the irregularities and may be arranged on the shanks so as to engage the rear side of the face plate with a clamping action and the lenses are not only eifectively retained but are supported so that they do not rattle in the face plate, although the shank openings therein may be substantially larger than the shanks. vThis avoids the necessity for great care in forming the `lens openings and also, as stated, in forming the lenses and further, the parts are economical to produce and very easily assembled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to .secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A sign comprising a face plate containing a substantially circular opening having a notch at one side adapted to receive the thread of a lens shank, a lens provided with a shoulder adapted to contact with the front side of the plate and with a shank having a screw thread, there being a space between theinner end of the thread and the shoulder, and a spirally coiled spring retaining member threaded upon said shank with its inner end disposed between the thread and the plate and engaging the rear side of the plate and its outer end on the side of the shank.

2. A sign comprising a face plate containing a substantially circular opening having a notch at one side adapted to receive the thread of a lens shank, a lens provided with a shoulder adapted to contact with the front side of the plate and with a shank having a screw thread, anda spirally coiled spring retaining member threaded upon said shank with its inner end disposed between the thread and the plate and engaging the rear side of the plate and its outer end on the side of the shank. A y

y 3. A sign comprising a face plate containing an opening adapted to receive a lens shank, a lens provided with a plate engaging shoulder and with a shank having a screw thread, there being a space between the inner end of the thread and the shoulder, and a coiled spring retaining member threaded upon said shank with its inner end disposed between the thread and the plate and engagingthe rear side of the plate.

l. A sign comprising a face plate containlng an opening adapted to receive a lens shank, a lens provided with a plate engaging shoulder and with a shank having a screw thread, and a coiled spring retaining member threaded upon said shank with its inner end disposed between the thread and the plate and engaging` the rear side of the plate.

5. A sign comprising a face plate containing an opening adapted to receive a lens shank, a lens provided with a plate engaging shoulder and with a shank having a screw thread, and a spring retaining member embracing said shank and engaging the thread thereof and the rear side of the plate.

6. A sign comprising a face plate containing an opening adapted to receive a lens shank, a lens provided with a shank having a retainer engaging member thereon disposed through said opening, and a spirally coiled spring retaining member embracing said shank, said retainer engaging member having screw engagement with the coils of said spring, the inner end of said retaining member engaging the rear side ofthe plate, its outer end engaging the side of the shank, all coacting for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

EDVARD BAMBECK.

Vitnesses:

CLYDE M DAVIS, AGNES V. FINLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

